By Thapelo Molefe
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has denied claims circulating on WhatsApp and social media that he has withdrawn the renaming of Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe Town, saying no court has ruled on the matter.
In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture said the messages claiming that McKenzie had rescinded the name change, along with other geographical name changes in the Eastern Cape, were false.
“The Minister has not withdrawn, rescinded or amended any of the geographical name changes published in the Government Gazette on 6 February 2026,” the ministry said.
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It also rejected claims that a court case challenging the renaming had been won, saying that the review application brought by AfriForum in the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria had not been finalised and that no judgment had been handed down.
“I have not withdrawn anything. There is no new decision, no court judgment and no victory for anyone to celebrate,” McKenzie said.
“The matter is before the court, and I will respect whatever the court decides, as every South African should. What I will not do is allow people to be misled by fake messages dressed up as news.”
The ministry said the circulating message attributed statements to Democratic Alliance MP Samantha Graham-Maré, but it could not verify whether she had made them. It also confirmed that it had not communicated any withdrawal of the renaming to her or anyone else.
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The ministry said the matter was before the court and therefore sub judice, meaning it would not comment on the merits of the case while the legal process was ongoing.
It said it would respect and abide by the court’s eventual decision.
It urged members of the public, journalists and public representatives to verify information with the department before sharing it.
